Integrating Biological Aspects into River Water Quality Research in Malaysia: An Opinion
16 Pages Posted: 1 May 2012
Date Written: May 1, 2012
Abstract
Assessment on rivers and streams water quality should incorporate aspects of chemical, physical, and biological. The objective of this paper was to review the current primary concerned aspects and practiced method in river water quality research in Malaysia. The present day, method of determining river water quality in Malaysia is based mainly on physical and chemical parameters. Concentration on chemical and physical parameters is particularly surprising in judging natural waters where the main aim is often preservation of biological amenities. Numerous studies have indicated biological method has many advantages over chemical and physical method such as, cheaper, easier, less time consuming, reliable, and can give indications of water quality for a long period of time. We do not advocate to abandoning physical and chemical assessments, rather, we note the inadequacy of the assessments to give complete information on river water quality. Therefore, Malaysia should start to anticipate and integrate the biological aspects into water quality studies, and extensively make use of them to improve water quality monitoring in Malaysia. Successfulness on this will enhance water quality monitoring and management in Malaysia.
Keywords: biological aspects, Malaysia, river monitoring, water quality
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